A Little Bit of Charm by Mary Ellis

Author:Mary Ellis
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736943055
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

Second Saturday of November

“I’ll make a deal with you, sweet birds. If you let me cross your pen without attacking my shins, I’ll scatter extra dried corn besides your regular feed.” Rachel held her gathering baskets in one hand while placing the other on the gate.

Most of the chickens paid no attention as they went about normal business. But two or three hens studied her menacingly. It was as if they knew she was about to steal their eggs. Fortifying her courage, she opened the latch and entered their sanctum as though walking on proverbial eggshells.

Rachel had promised to collect eggs before she left for work because she had extra time that morning. Instead of driving Isaac’s horse and buggy to work, Jake was picking her up in his truck. She had finished two barns already, delivering the eggs to Sarah for washing and sorting. But this pen, flock number three, always contained a few members who resented her intrusion. She walked gingerly among the birds, careful not to step on toes or talons or whatever they were called. As she passed two of the three troublemakers, Rachel made soothing clucking sounds, with an occasional “that’s a nice birdie” thrown in for good measure. Reaching the barn, she rushed inside and slid the door closed. Hens with evil intent would have to climb the narrow ramps and enter through small openings in the wall. Those led directly to their nesting boxes. Rachel worked as quickly and quietly as possible, gathering today’s efforts to fill her baskets.

Twenty minutes later, she exited the barn like a thief in the night, but she didn’t get far. One fat, red-faced, ruffled-feathered hen blocked her path. Other curious chickens clustered nearby to see if there would be bloodshed. Holding out her baskets as though they were shields of protection, Rachel advanced. “Look here, Henny Penny, these eggs haven’t been fertilized, so they couldn’t grow into a baby chick anyway.”

The hen marched toward her, pecking the ground with eager anticipation. Rachel ran for her life. Through the flock she hurried, shoving aside those directly in her path with her baskets. She didn’t slow down until the latched gate was safely closed behind her.

“Why are you so out of breath?” asked Sarah in the sorting room. She peered at Rachel over her reading glasses.

“They came after me again in number three.” Rachel began carefully unloading her eggs onto the conveyor belt.

“Did you get pecked or scratched?” Sarah glanced down at her ankles.

“I outran them this time.”

“Are you sure this isn’t all in your head?” Sarah appeared to be biting her cheek.

“I don’t think so. I’ve made three enemies in that flock. If I had a say-so, those would be sent to market next. They would look good on somebody’s dinner table up in Louisville.”

“Nein, those are all young laying hens in number three. You’ll just have to make your peace with them.” Sarah focused on the quantity of eggs. “Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcum. Now I’ll change for work.

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